304 [THE ALMOND 



but at the same time it is not of such overbearing nature 

 that it cannot be associated with the vine, the loquat, the 

 stone fruits and kernel fruits, and even with Citrus trees, 

 if there is enough depth of soil to afford ample room for 

 the roots. 



The almond is the harbinger of the new year. In 

 Malta it commences to bloom at about Christmas, and 

 most trees are in full bloom in January. A few trees 

 especially among the sweet almonds, flower in February, 

 and certain sorts of sweet almonds bearing large fruits 

 are not in bloom before the close of February or early in 

 March, that is only a few days before the flowering of 

 the peach and other stone-fruits. The flowers of the 

 almond vary in colour from pure white to flesh colour or 

 a lively pink, and those of the bitter almond being very 

 early are in request for decorative purposes at Christmas 

 time and in January. In exposed localities the flowers 

 are liable to be injured by the wind, and in spring the 

 tender foliage is easily destroyed by the north-east wind 

 which is so often saturated with salt spray brought over 

 from the sea. The tree, however, agrees well with our 

 soil and climate, and its cultivation on a large scale is 

 highly remunerative. 



The almond is extensively used in confectionery, and 

 the oil extracted from the sweet almond, as well as from 

 the bitter almond is a valuable laxative, often used for the 

 ailments of infancy. This oil is also used in the manu- 

 facture of soaps of superior quality. The roasted or 

 candied sweet almond is an article of dessert appreciated 

 by all classes of the population, and the kernel of the 

 green fruit is a delicacy for the table, either in the fresh 

 state or worked into confectionery. The husks or hulls 

 of the almond, as well as the shells of the nut make 

 excellent fuel for ovens, and the wood besides being in 

 request for firewood, has a good veining and is used by 

 cabinet makers. The roots are used for dying coarse 

 cloth and fishing tackle. 



